1. Hitting the elusive inflation target
- Author
-
BIANCHI, Francesco, MELOSI, Leonardo, and ROTTNER, Matthias Christian
- Subjects
Geldpolitik ,Liquiditätsbeschränkung ,disanchoring of inflation expectations ,Deflation ,Niedrigzinspolitik ,liquidity traps ,ddc:330 ,zero lower bound ,target range ,E51 ,E52 ,E31 ,USA ,natural rate ,framework review ,Wohlfahrtsanalyse ,Asymmetric monetary policy ,Inflationssteuerung ,welfare ,deflationary spiral ,D83 ,D84 ,asymmetric rules ,inflation targeting ,opportunistic reflation ,Inflationserwartung ,Deflationary bias ,E62 ,E63 ,macroeconomic uncertainty - Abstract
Since the 2001 recession, average core inflation has been below the Federal Reserve's 2% target. This deflationary bias is a predictable consequence of a symmetric monetary policy strategy that fails to recognize the risk of encountering the zero-lower-bound. An asymmetric rule according to which the central bank responds less aggressively to above-target inflation corrects the bias, improves welfare, and reduces the risk of deflationary spirals - a pathological situation in which inflation keeps falling indefinitely. This approach does not entail any history dependence or commitment to overshoot the inflation target and can be implemented with an asymmetric target range. A counterfactual simulation shows that a modest level of asymmetry would have removed the deflationary bias observed in the United States.
- Published
- 2019